Contents

[upset, to her mother] Oh, and if you think that I will ever forget that you just stood by silent and you watched him treat me thus, you are dreaming!

[to her council] I am young, but I am willing to learn, and I mean to devote my life to the service of my country and my people. I look for your help in this. I know I shall not be disappointed. Thank you.

[after being released from her corset] The untold luxury of being able to breathe again.

Victoria: Do you ever feel like a chess piece yourself? In a game being played against your will.

Albert: Do you?

Victoria: Constantly. I see them leaning in and moving me around the board.

Albert: The Duchess and Sir John?

Victoria: Not just them. Uncle Leopold. The king. I'm sure half the politicians are ready to seize hold of my skirts and drag me from square to square.

Albert: Then you had better master the rules of the game until you play it better than they can.

Victoria: You don't recommend I find a husband to play it for me?

Albert: I should find one to play it with you, not for you.

Queen Adelaide: You'll have to decide on a husband soon. What about Leopold's candidate?

Victoria: I can't marry the man they want me to marry.

Queen Adelaide: Every suitor will come with strings attached.

Victoria: Can't I be my own mistress for a while, haven't I earned it? Dear Lord M, he's so very kind, I couldn't have asked for a better tutor.

Queen Adelaide: You may dream of independence, but you won't get it. From now on, everyone will push and pull you for their own advantage, Melbourne more than the rest. Just remember, you are the queen. He's a politician. And politicians, whatever their creed, always resent the monarchy. They pass through, you stay. So just keep dear Lord M in his proper sphere.

Victoria: He's already chosen the new household.

Albert: I'm going back to England.

Baron Stockmar: There must be a reason if you wish to visit Her Majesty.

Albert: Then find me a reason.

Victoria: I do want to help them, whatever you say. And not just the laboring poor, but the hungry and the homeless, and... There are people who are lost, and whose business is it to see to their welfare?

Lord Melbourne: Well, in my experience, ma'am, it's best to let these things develop naturally. If you interfere, you risk overturning the cart.

Victoria: Well, Albert doesn't agree. He's made a study of the working man's condition, he's full to the brim with ideas for their improvement.

Lord Melbourne: Is he indeed? How inspiring.

Albert: I just got your note. I was riding.

Victoria: Sit, please.

Albert: The park is marvelous.

Victoria: I'm so pleased you like it. I do want you to feel quite at home... I'm sure you're aware why I wished you to come here. Because it would make me happier than anything, too happy really, if you would agree to what I wish.

Albert: And stay with you?

Victoria: And stay with me.

Albert: And marry you?

Victoria: And marry me!

Sir John Conroy: [about the crowd outside of the palace] How changeable they are. They hate you, they love you, they hate you.

Duchess of Kent: [about Victoria] They punished her. They never hated her.

Albert: Lord Melbourne, forgive me but you seem to have confused me with a member of your club. I am not your drinking companion nor your whist partner. I am the husband of your sovereign. And as such, I will make my own decisions, and I neither seek nor invite your advice. Good evening.

Victoria: [crying in his arms] I'm so sorry! I thought I was going to lose you!

Albert: I don't think he was a very good shot.

Victoria: Why did you do it? So stupid, why did you do it?

Albert: I had two very good reasons. First, I am replaceable and you are not.

Victoria: You are not replaceable to me!

Albert: Second, you're the only wife I've got or ever will have. You are my whole existence, and I will love you until my very last breath.